Ireland’s Rugby World Cup 2023 Bid Just Took A Huge Step Forward

The Irish government is preparing to formally underwrite €320m to host the Rugby World Cup in Ireland in 2023 according to the Irish Examiner.

Officials involved are apparently increasingly confident Ireland stands a strong chance of beating France, Italy, and South Africa to host the tournament, as preparations are finalised for an application next month.

Money being guaranteed for the bid includes €120m to host the tournament, while another €200m will be underwritten for operational costs, including the redevelopment of stadiums and policing.

The Cabinet discussed and agreed to underwrite the costs at its last summer meeting in July, where Sports Minister Shane Ross received approval to proceed with Ireland’s formal bid.

The 12 stadiums proposed for the competition bid  have now been finalised as part of the formal application.

These include Croke Park, the Aviva stadium and the RDS in Dublin; Casement Park and Kingspan Stadium in Belfast; Pairc Uí Chaoimh in Cork; Thomond Park, Limerick; Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney; Pearse Stadium, Galway; McHale Park in Castlebar; Nowlan Park, Kilkenny; and Celtic Park in Derry.

Judging on host applications will begin in June 2017 and a winner announced that November.